History of Hampi. Vijaynagar was once the capital of the largest Hindu empires in the Indian history. Founded by the Telungu princes Harikara and Bukka in 1336, it reached the height of its glory under Krishnadevaraya (1509 ? 29) when it controlled the whole of peninsula, except for a string of commercial principalities along the Malabar Coast. Hampi had trade connections with international markets. Hindu, Muslim and Jain religions were practised. The Brahmins were a privileged class. Sati (where the wife is set alight in the husbands funeral pyre) and Devdasi system (temple prostitution) were common and widely practised. The city was sacked pillaged and burnt in 1565 AD, after the combined attack of armies of Muslim Sultantes of the Deccan defeated the Vijayanagar military commander and the King fled the capitol.

Rocky hills and the mighty Tungabhadra River, which flows through this rugged landscape, dominate the terrain.

What can you see among the ruins?

Virupaksha Temple It is one of the earliest structures in the city and lies in the western end of the city. The temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Vishnu.

Ugra Narasimha

The gigantic 6.7m tall monolith image is situated in the south.

Vithala Temple

The temples incredible sculptural work is a pinnacle of Vijayanagar art. The outer pillars are known as ?musical? pillars as they reverberate when tapped. The temple also features an ornate stone chariot in the temple courtyard.

Other places of interest are Sivalinga, lotus Mahal, Viruaksha Bazaar, Hazara Rama temple, and monolith Lord ganesh.

Where to stay. When we were planning our trip, we booked at Hotel Malligi, because it is the only one had an E- Mail address malligihome@hotmail.com and the rates they quoted for the rooms and car service was very reasonable. When we were driving from the Hospet station to the hotel we saw Maligi farm, Maligi industries, Maligi Theatre and so on, I was wondering that they must own more than 50 % of Hospet. When we saw the Hotel its beauty, cleanliness, courtesy and efficiency apart from value for money surprised us. SriPath and his brother, who is a doctor by profession, manage it. It is a hotel of high standard with all modern facilities available and definitely a place to stay.